Indianapolis, IN: Lady Baller Insider hits the road to be amongst Evaluators at a highly talented Hoosier Heat & Nike Tournament of Champions tournament this past weekend!
Audrey Biggs (2024) | West Virginia Thunder
Biggs didn’t hold back! The 2024 Wing of Boyd County HS did all the dirty work for the 2024 West Virginia Thunder group. Biggs dominated the offensive and defensive glass while stepping out the perimeter to guard, Biggs showed an all-around effort being able to put her back to the basket ad face up and attack the opposing team in a variety of ways. The 2024 wing can step out and knock down the short jumper as well helping the Thunder to stretch the floor making them a tough team to guard!
Hayden Barrier (2024) | West Virginia Thunder
Barrier had a strong performance for the Thunder as she kicked it into second gear on offense knocking down a handful of threes in the second half to stretch the lead vs Team Teague. Barrier’s smooth jump shot made it difficult for defenders to guard as she has a quick first step as she attacks the rim as well making her a matchup nightmare for opponents.
Shaelyn Steele (2024) | West Virginia Thunder
Steele is a guard every coach wants on their roster. Steele showed even with a knee injury she will pick up the team’s best defender 94 feet and give her opponents a problem the entire game. Steele displayed a high IQ setting her teammates up for open looks, running the offense, and making sure everyone was in their spots in the full court trap defense, Steele is that vocal leader College coaches don’t want to miss out on!
Azyiah Williams (2021) | Midwest Takeover
Williams was a problem all game, Williams had a dominate performance vs Example Sports Elite in the Friday morning matchup, Williams displayed high-intensity defense the entire game picking up full court making it hard for her opponent to get past half court. In the second half, Williams kicked it into second gear scoring the team’s final 11 points as they edge the victory over Example Sports Elite.
Jacquel Bronaugh (2021) | Midwest Takeover
Bronaugh is a smooth operator around the basket. The 2021 post had a strong presence down low grabbing rebounds and powering back up finishing a lot of different ways under the basket. As Bronaugh continues to progress her potential is through the roof!
Brianna Wooldridge (2022) | Example Sports Elite
Wooldridge the 2022 Lefty is a do it all athlete despite a tough loss to Midwest Take Over went out swinging knocking down shots from all over. The 2022 wing was able to get what she wanted in today’s matchup being aggressive on the rebounds and going right back up with it, attacking the rim off the dribble being able to finish around the defenders as she made a strong push to lead her team to victory.
Timia Ware (2021) | Example Sports Elite
Ware Brought the Swagger to the team for Example Sports Elite. Ware was able to penetrate the defense and kick it to the open teammate on multiple occasions using her speed and change of pace to keep the defense guessing. Ware pushed the break well hitting the open teammate running the lane just wasn’t enough to get past Midwest Take Over. Ware is a player to keep an eye out for as the season continues!
Rakiyah Beal (2022) | Michigan Crossover 16U EYBL
Rakiyah Beal and her Michigan Crossover squad went 9-0 this week. Beal was instrumental in that undefeated run in many impactful ways. On the defensive end, she used her speed and range to get multiple steals and deflections. Many of those defensive plays led to easy buckets for herself and her teammates. Beal kicked off an impressive 11-0 run vs. All-Ohio 16U with a deep triple. Within seconds, she jumped the passing lane and finished on the other end with her signature layup in which she ‘smacks boards’. Just a few plays later, she scored on a pump fake to a one dribble mid-range pull-up jumper. Beal was absolutely electric. Her motor and ability to cause havoc on both ends was on full display this week.
Nakiya Bonner(2024) | Michigan Crossover
Poise is priceless at the point guard spot. You have to have the poise to be effective. Without it, the sharks will attack and destroy any team's game plan. Verse Team Thad, Nakiya Bonner had nerves of steal under great pressure and in an intense atmosphere. Team Thad tried to break the young Crossover squad, but they were unable to largely due to Bonner’s play. She used her long arms and quickness to contain her defensive assignment and get deflections that lead to easy baskets as she travailed through every minute of an up and down affair. She was also able to make a few crucial floaters to keep her team close, but Crossover would eventually succumb and lose to Team Thad. But, it was not because of a lack of heart and grit. Look for Bonner and the 8th grade MI Crossover team to be competitive against the best of the best as they continue to grow together.
Clemisha Prackett (2023) | Team Thad
Prackett is a monster! Though she was saddled with foul trouble most of the game vs. MI Crossover, she still made an indelible impact on the gamespace and flow. Prackett is long, athletic, and tough. She cleaned up mistakes by blocking shots and she made things easy by finishing on the other end at a high level. She has an intimidating presence about her. Most of the intimidation came from how hard she attacks the basket (especially from the high post) and how well she protected her basket by altering several shots and getting several key blocks. There is no doubt if Prackett was able to be on the floor for a longer period of time, the outcome would have favored Team Thad even more.
Ryley Goebel (2022) | Team Iowa (verbally committed to University of Northern Iowa)
I actually wasn’t even scouting the game that I saw Ryley Goebel in, but SHEESH! This girl is extremely talented. She scored on all three levels and displayed impeccable footwork from all areas on the court. On one drive from the wing, she jump stopped in the lane and finished off a step-through after an up and under. A certified pro move reminiscent of Los Angeles Sparks PF Nneka Oguimike. Northern Iowa definitely got a steal with this one. Very impressive skill set and basketball IQ.
Madison Wardell (2022) | Michigan Crossover 16U EYBL
You gotta see Wardell in action. She’s super athletic and runs the floor effortlessly. She was dominant for a MI Crossover squad that was fun to watch. She has a very nice stroke from 15-18 feet that she can knock down consistently wide open or by just jumping over the top of her defender. She has an impressive second jump as well. She’s was a nightmare to match up with on the offensive end. Wardell is a killer on the block with her back to the basket or facing up. She stretched the floor as well as she is a capable 3 point shooter. In fact, she literally did everything a basketball player can do on both ends of the floor. I expect her recruiting to pick up for her and the entire Michigan Crossover 16U team very soon.
